China May Succeed Where the West Failed -- In Africa
Countries: Angola, China, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria
Deborah Brautigan doesn't argue with critics who call China's interest in Africa self-serving. But she may be one of the first American academics to declare that China's deeds will be good for Africa, too.
It's an argument she expands in The Dragon's Gift, a new book analyzing the development of China's Africa policies over the last few decades.
Brautigan asserts that China's investments are integrating African countries into the global economy more quickly because, unlike Western countries, the nation invests in an array of industries. In Angola, for example, China has built roads, schools, hospitals, and irrigation systems in the country's interior — even though its oil wealth is far offshore. Brautigan also cites a telling remark by a Nigerian diplomat: "The Chinese are trying to get involved in every sector of our economy. If you look at the West, it's oil, oil, oil and nothing else."
And on a continent rife with corruption, China's style of development actually leaves less room for embezzlement than does the World Bank model, points out a book review in The Morning Star. Rather than funneling money through potentially corrupt government officials, China pays Chinese companies to head up infrastructure projects.
Brautigan acknowledges that China's behavior in Africa is sometimes far from saintly. Some have complained that Chinese companies do not respect local labor laws, as happened at a mine in Congo, and others worry that Chinese companies will have a negative environmental impact on the continent.
While not negligible, Brautigan sees these violations as small in comparison to what China's investments could mean for Africa, and in comparison to the failed promise of other foreign aid there. As an AidWatchers review noted, this "book seeks to compare Chinese aid to Western aid as it really is, not as we wish it were."
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Comments
I'm glad you wrote this
I'm glad you wrote this article, Sarah, because it's a much needed contrast to the general consensus (i.e., that China is exploiting African countries).
China's involvement in Africa is an important topic of debate that has been obscured by uninformed assumptions. Many people distrust China and wonder what its "real" motives are for so much investment. However, I think the AidWatchers article really hit the crux of the matter with the following statement: "...like all donors, US definitely included, China is motivated to give aid by a mix of political, commercial, and social/ideological factors." All countries are essentially motivated by self-interest. It just may be that China is more unabashed about its intentions.
Meanwhile, other people point to China's own development, rife with problems with corruption and destruction of the environment. Although these are legitimate concerns, I think these claims miss the bottom line.
According the UNDP, China has successfully halved the number of people living in poverty from 85 million in 1990. Although the income gap between the rich and the poor has widened, the poor are at a much better position than ever before.
Though China's investment may not be perfect, it is certainly better than allowing African states to languish in economic stagnancy. Until someone comes along with a better plan, it's Africa's best option--so why not let them go ahead?
Driving economic development
I am glad that there is Chinese aid in the equation, alongside the lucrative deals and grabs for resource commodities. I agree, Olivia, that China is perhaps more unabashed about their intentions than other donors.
Motivations aside, the reality is the Chinese flag is flying across the continent. There are more Chinese living in Nigeria than there were Britons during the height of the empire. New embassies and a new Chinese elite are emerging, putting greater resource demands on areas with booming populations. The West can be worried for our sake, for the environment's sake....but for the sub-Saharan Africans' sake? I'm looking forward to reading Brautigan's book. The Chinese multi-sector investment strategy is underway, and it seems to be a promising driver of economic development.
Interesting article
China is definitely approaching development of infrastructure in Africa in a way that contrasts with our approach, but it may not be more effective in the long run. Working outside of corrupt African governments certainly helps funding get directly to the people and places it is most needed. It will be interesting, though, to see if using only Chinese contractors will, in the end, actually help African nations wean their way off of foreign aid and become more self sustaining. Foreign aid of any type may not actually benefit African nations as they attempt to develop, so I am definitely interested in reading Brautigan's book.
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